Team colours and names play a part.
But it's more important to get out amongst the local clubs, showing up with some players, merch etc - plus demonstrating yes there is a viable pathway from Nelson, Dunners, Nightcaps or wherever to a pro football club in the South Island.
Auckland FC have shown exactly that. They play in blue and black, but football fans are trekking up from the Waikato, BOP and other parts embracing them as their team. Helps to have Tauranga boy Bidois, or Waikato product Rogerson in the senior squad. Other youngsters from the Upper north regions in the Reserve team. All those MOUS signed with Northern Region clubs. The pathway is there to see. Plenty of touring the provinces by Auckland FC staff & players pressing the flesh last year especially.
Ryan Edwards & Slava Meyn will be hoping to mimic their own little version of that success. Pragnell & the APL with fingers crossed it will springboard into a A League bid one day
But it's more important to get out amongst the local clubs, showing up with some players, merch etc - plus demonstrating yes there is a viable pathway from Nelson, Dunners, Nightcaps or wherever to a pro football club in the South Island.
Auckland FC have shown exactly that. They play in blue and black, but football fans are trekking up from the Waikato, BOP and other parts embracing them as their team. Helps to have Tauranga boy Bidois, or Waikato product Rogerson in the senior squad. Other youngsters from the Upper north regions in the Reserve team. All those MOUS signed with Northern Region clubs. The pathway is there to see. Plenty of touring the provinces by Auckland FC staff & players pressing the flesh last year especially.
Ryan Edwards & Slava Meyn will be hoping to mimic their own little version of that success. Pragnell & the APL with fingers crossed it will springboard into a A League bid one day
Lokomotiv Sockburn. Red shirt, trou, socks the kit. Putin a silent benefactor, slightly more wealthy than Bill Foley.